Amber Heard has broken her silence over shock allegations her husband assaulted her, with her legal team hailing her a "hero".

The actress has insisted she didn't previously make a statement to the LAPD "in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career", but has chosen to speak out "as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations".

Johnny has furiously denied the allegations he hurt his wife.

A statement from Amber's legal team claims Amber has suffered "years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny", before adding: "Amber is the victim. Amber is a hero.”

Amber’s lead attorney Samantha F. Spector and her co-counsel Joseph P. Koenig said in a statement: “As the result of Amber’s decision to decline giving an initial statement to the LAPD, her silence has been used against her by Johnny’s team. Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.

Amber Heard has broken her silence

"Johnny’s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts, as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media. Amber has suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny. "

Amber's team go on to claim Johnny "desperately" needs help, and Amber decided it was time to speak out.

The statement adds: "In domestic violence cases, it is not unusual for the perpetrator's playbook to include miscasting the victim as the villain.

"In reality, Amber acted no differently than many victims of domestic violence, who think first of the harm that might come to the abuser, rather than the abuse they have already suffered. Amber can no longer endure the relentless attacks and outright lies launched against her character in the Court of Public Opinion since the tragic events of May 21.

Amber Heard leaves court in Downtown Los Angeles (Image: Splash)

"With her statement Amber hopes to give the LAPD the opportunity to conduct an accurate and complete investigation into the events of that evening and before. If that occurs, and the truth is revealed, there is no doubt that Amber’s claims will be substantiated beyond any doubt, and hopefully Johnny will get the help that he so desperately needs."

The statement goes on: "From the beginning it has been Amber's desire to keep this matter as private as possible, even though LAPD officers responded to a 911 call made by a third-party. The LAPD officers viewed not only the disarray that Johnny had caused in the apartment but also the physical injuries to Amber’s face.

"We filed the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage at the very end of the day on Monday May 23 and we did not serve Johnny with the Petition at the premiere of Alice Through the Looking Glass that evening. We sent a letter to Johnny's counsel team the next morning making it clear we wanted to keep this matter out of the media. We then held off requesting a domestic violence restraining order as we knew that Johnny was out of the country."

Pictures taken from inside Amber Heard and Johnny Depp's house

Her team finally claim they "took the hight road" before calling Amber a "hero" for speaking out.

"We took the high road," the statement concludes. "Unfortunately, Johnny's team immediately went to the press and began viciously attacking Amber’s character. Amber is simply a victim of domestic violence, and none of her actions are motivated by money. Amber is a brave and financially independent woman who is showing the courage of her convictions by doing the right thing against Johnny's relentless army of lawyers and surrogates.

"The Family Law Court is not going to be influenced by misinformation placed in the social media based on anonymous sources. Amber is the victim. Amber is a hero.”

Amber Heard and Johnny Depp

Meanwhile, Johnny's teenage daughter spoke out just days ago, appearing to defend her father.

The 17-year-old model did not directly address the allegations but did post a sweet childhood picture showing the Pirates of the Caribbean star guiding her by the hands.

Lily wrote on Instagram: "My dad is the sweetest most loving person I know, he's been nothing but an wonderful father to my little brother and I, and everyone who knows him would say the same (sic)"

Vanessa, who was in a relationship with the Pirates of the Caribbean for 14 years, described the father of her two children as "sensitive and loving".

A handwritten letter, published by TMZ and dated May 27, reads: "Johnny Depp is the father of my two children, he is a sensitive, loving and loved person, and I believe with all my heart that these recent allegations being made are outrageous.

Johnny Depp and daughter Lily Rose (Image: Instagram)

The pair split in 2012 (Image: Getty)

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"In all the years I have known Johnny, he has never been physically abusive with with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years. Sincerely, Vanessa Paradis."

Depp's lawyers have responded, denying the allegations and claiming the restraining order and request for financial support "appears to be in response to the negative media attention she received earlier this week".

Following Amber's claims, representatives for Johnny said in a statement: "Given the brevity of this marriage and the most recent and tragic loss of his mother, Johnny will not respond to any of the salacious false stories, gossip, misinformation and lies about his personal life.